Bazi Glossary

A comprehensive guide to Chinese astrology terminology

Five Elements (Wu Xing)

The Five Elements are the fundamental forces that govern all energy interactions in Chinese metaphysics.

Wood

Represents growth, expansion, and vitality. Associated with spring, new beginnings, and the liver.

Fire

Represents passion, transformation, and illumination. Associated with summer, joy, and the heart.

Earth

Represents stability, nourishment, and grounding. Associated with seasonal transitions and the spleen.

Metal

Represents precision, structure, and refinement. Associated with autumn, clarity, and the lungs.

Water

Represents wisdom, adaptability, and depth. Associated with winter, introspection, and the kidneys.

Ten Gods (Shi Shen)

The Ten Gods describe the relationships between elements in your chart, revealing personality traits and life patterns.

Peer Star

Same element, same polarity. Represents independence, self-reliance, and competition with equals.

Competitor Star

Same element, opposite polarity. Represents rivalry, ambition, and potential conflicts over resources.

Eating God

Element you produce, same polarity. Represents creativity, enjoyment, and artistic expression.

Hurting Officer

Element you produce, opposite polarity. Represents rebellion, unconventional thinking, and challenges to authority.

Direct Wealth

Element you control, opposite polarity. Represents steady income, practical achievements, and material stability.

Indirect Wealth

Element you control, same polarity. Represents windfall gains, investments, and opportunistic wealth.

Direct Officer

Element that controls you, opposite polarity. Represents authority, discipline, and conventional success.

Seven Killings

Element that controls you, same polarity. Represents pressure, challenges, and the drive to overcome obstacles.

Direct Resource

Element that produces you, opposite polarity. Represents support, education, and nurturing influences.

Indirect Resource

Element that produces you, same polarity. Represents unconventional knowledge, intuition, and spiritual insights.

Ten Heavenly Stems (Tian Gan)

The Heavenly Stems represent celestial energy and combine with Earthly Branches to form the pillars of your chart.

Jiǎ
Wood Yang

Like a towering tree: upright, principled, values integrity.

Wood Yin

Like a flexible vine: adaptable, sociable, resilient.

Bǐng
Fire Yang

Like the radiant sun: passionate, outgoing, charismatic.

Dīng
Fire Yin

Like a gentle candle: reserved, warm, empathetic.

Earth Yang

Like a mountain: steady, reliable, principled.

Earth Yin

Like fertile soil: nurturing, patient, organized.

Gēng
Metal Yang

Like a sharp sword: decisive, tough, efficient.

Xīn
Metal Yin

Like precious jade: elegant, refined, detail-oriented.

Rén
Water Yang

Like a flowing river: intelligent, agile, open-minded.

Guǐ
Water Yin

Like morning dew: sensitive, intuitive, empathetic.

Twelve Earthly Branches (Di Zhi)

The Earthly Branches correspond to the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and represent terrestrial energy.

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Core Concepts

Essential terminology for understanding your Bazi chart and Chinese astrology.

Eight Characters

The foundation of Chinese astrology, consisting of four pairs of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches representing your birth time.

Four Pillars

The four columns of your chart representing Year, Month, Day, and Hour of birth.

Day Master

The Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar, representing your core self and personality.

Luck Cycles

Ten-year periods that influence your life journey, derived from your Month Pillar.

Yin & Yang

The fundamental duality of passive and active, feminine and masculine, moon and sun.

Generation & Control

The productive and controlling relationships between the Five Elements.

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